Rose Ogutu, Horticulture Specialist, Delaware State University rogutu@desu.edu
Are High Tunnels a “Den of Overwintering Pests”?
You have just concluded the fall and winter season of production of a variety of greens. Insects, mites and other pests continued to feed in high tunnels. Do high tunnels give the insect problem a head start? How would you manage to prevent imminent pest explosions early in the spring and summer growing seasons?
Do ‘Biocontrols’ fit into your program?
Growers can successfully manage pests with sustainable techniques such as bio pesticides, beneficial insects and variety resistance. The success of these techniques depends on timing and other management skills. Is this an option you need to consider?
What have you identified as some sources and solutions for pest problems?
Over fertilization, resulting in excess nitrogen being given to plants and overwatering are common practices in high tunnels.
Environmental conditions inside your high tunnel in the summer will be determined by days of cloud cover, daily highs, and nightly lows, orientation of the tunnel, and the degree to which your side walls, end walls, and roof vents ventilate your high tunnels. Your crop selection, spacing and trellising techniques are also a factor.
A variety of insect netting or shade cloths (depending on target pest and population pressure) can be used on the side walls to block entry of large pests. The smaller pests can be managed using other sustainable IPM practices for overall improvement. A little sanitation goes a long way in keeping insect population down. What strategies have you put in place to manage insect and disease pests in your high tunnel?
Are you considering having small fruits in your high tunnel?
Register for the upcoming workshop at Delaware State University, Smyrna Outreach Research Center! There is more information about this workshop in the Announcements section.